Research reveals who is getting A*s

10 December 2015

As part of our commitment to transparency and access to examinations data, Cambridge Assessment today publishes a statistics report on Candidates Awarded the A* Grade at A Level in 2014.

The report is part of a statistical series which provides information about the examination system that can be used by all. The data for the analysis was taken from the National Pupil Database held by the Department for Education.

Headline findings of the report include:

• Over 55% of the students achieving ABB or better were female. In contrast, 56% of students achieving 3 A* grades or better were male.

• Of all students achieving 3 A* grades or better, 38.2% were from independent schools, despite only making up 13% of A Level students.

• 6.6% of A Level students in independent schools and 4.9% of A Level students in grammar schools achieved 3 A* grades or better. This compares with 1.2% of A Level students in comprehensive schools, 2.0% in academies and 0.3% in FE colleges.

• 2.6% of students experiencing low deprivation achieved at least 3 A* grades, compared with 1.1% of students experiencing high deprivation.

• 2.2% of A Level students (3.1% of those taking at least 3 A Levels) achieved 3 A* grades or better

• 62,736 students (26.7% of those taking A Levels) achieved ABB or better (the minimum achievement at which universities can recruit unlimited numbers).

You can read the report on the Cambridge Assessment website here

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